Page 69 of Love Me (Touch of Death 3)
“People are unpredictable, Mr. Cole. You can train a child, but they will always become an adult, and no matter how hard you try, they will think and feel.”
There’s a long pause before Cole speaks again. “What do you think soldiers of Una and Sasha Ivanov’s caliber are worth?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Nicholai grew too attached to them, made it personal. Had they not put him down, I would have done it myself. I am a man of numbers, you see. To train a soldier from so young and to then lose them…it is a disappointment.”
“How much?” Nero asks, his tone clipped.
“Twenty million. Each.”
I open my mouth to speak.
“Done,” Nero says without hesitation.
Twenty million. It’s strange to have a value placed on my life. And Nero just agreed to pay it. I’m in shock.
Ronan laughs. “I should have asked for more, no?”
“I wish to strike a fair deal with you and to maintain our good relations.”
“Very well, Nero Verdi. You may buy your rebel, but I will still take that cut of your city. Twenty percent sounds fair.”
“Five,” Nero growls.
Ronan laughs. “Come now. Fifteen.”
“Ten.”
Ronan lets out a childish laugh. “Ah, I’m feeling generous. Ten.”
It’s written all over Nero’s face how much this hurts him. “Very well,” Nero finally says, his lips pressing into a flat line.
“I’ll be in touch.” Ronan hangs up, and for long moments, I simply stare at Nero.
“Twenty million?” I say quietly.
He drags a hand through his hair. “I’d pay far more than that.”
“For Una, of course…”
He pushes to his feet and rounds the desk, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Sasha, without you, I wouldn’t have Una or my son. I owe you a debt that cannot be repaid.”
I don’t know what to say. “Thank you.” It’s all I have.
22
Adelina
I’ve been home for one day, and though my body feels frail, my mind is in overdrive. Every time I close my eyes, I see Enrique’s face, his eyes carved out. I had no love for the man, but the image is so gruesome, I can’t shake it. I can’t sleep, can’t think. I sit at my father’s desk, a glass of whiskey in my hand. The night gives way to the first rays of dawn and finally morning. The sunshine is so bright, I almost hate it for seeming so…cheerful.
Una and Tommy left for New York almost immediately yesterday. I haven’t heard from Sasha. I thought… I thought he would be waiting for me. Maybe that’s foolish. We never really discussed it. Enrique’s death was the only thing we both agreed upon. So much has passed between us that maybe he thinks I don’t need him now. But I do. I really do.
There’s a knock on the office door before Lorenzo pops his head in. “Miss Adelina, there’s someone here to see you.”
I leave the office, composing myself as I make my way toward the newly rebuilt front door. Halfway down the hall, I pause. There, at the entrance, is Sasha. Sunlight spills through the glass door, catching on golden-blond hair. He looks…angelic. As soon as he spots me, he falls forward a step, and I rush to him, throwing myself into his arms.
“I thought you weren’t coming back,” I breathe against his neck.
“Malyshka, I would not leave you without saying goodbye.” Goodbye? So he is leaving.
I force myself to pull away from him and fix my face in a mask. “Why are you here?”
His expression becomes serious. “We need to talk.”
“About what?”
He cocks a brow. “You know what.”
I do. Of course. On a nod, I lead him to the living room and take a seat on the couch. He sits beside me, and though we’re close, I feel a distance between us. I’m nervous and awkward.
“You look tired, Adelina.” He reaches out, swiping a thumb beneath my eye. There was a time when he would never have touched me so casually.
“What did you want to talk about?” I ask. I’d rather get this out of the way.
“You. Your future.”
I sigh, my gaze drifting to the gardens beyond the windows. A lot of the flowers are no longer in bloom, shying away from the colder months. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I was never supposed to be here. Gabi was groomed for it, taught to lead. I was going to be…normal.”
I glance at Sasha, and he offers me a pitiful smile. “That’s no longer an option, malyshka.”
“I know. I made deals with Nero and Ronan.” I shake my head, hating that after all I’ve been through, I’m still just a pawn. Nothing has changed. “I’m trapped.”
“The powerless often have few choices. Perhaps the way out of this is to dive in further.”
“What?”
“Gain power. The more power you have, the more choices are available to you. Use men like Nero and Ronan, and then stand on level ground with them.”
